Front end aligning device for automobiles



May 8, 1951 A. E. JAMES FRONT END ALIGNING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed March 50, 1949 hlrllllllllllllllulIIIHu mllllllllldlnnlhlhlllhn llllllllllllllll nl l IN V EN TOR. ALVIN E. JAMES Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE FRONT END ALIGNING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES Alvin Elmo James, Waycross, Ga.

Application March 30, 1949, Serial No. 84,421

a front end alignment device which may be universally adapted to all wheel bases now in commercial use.

A still further object is to simultaneously provide coordinated readings for both front and rear portions of the tire.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent yafter specic reference to the specication and drawing is made.

In the drawings:

I, includes a hollow tube I i, a fixed plate I2 and on the upper portion oi the tube a lug I3. Telescoping in the hollow tube I0 is a second hollow tube Ill which tube is prevented from rotating by the pin I5 sliding in the groove I6 of the hollow tube I0. The hollow tube I4 is spring-biased so that the pin I5, whenever the apparatus is not in use, is against the end Il of the slot I6. This action is brought about by the spring I8 acting at one end against the tube I4 and being restrained at the other end by a bolt I3 retained by the nut 28 across the hollow tube I0. At the end of the tube I the plate 2i is pivotally mounted in a slot 22 about bolt 23 which is retained in place 5 by nut 24. Also at this end of the hollow tube I4 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention. 20

Figure 2 is a plan view of the alignment device in place on the front -Wheels of an automobile.

Figure 3 is a front view of the device similar to Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. partially in section showing the spring-biased member and the pivotal plate of the invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged View showing one-half of the device in place on an automobile wheel rim and incorporating the audible signal after it has been actuated.

Figure 6 is an enlarged illustration of the spring-biased telescoping members.

Figure 7 is an enlarged View of the pivotal plate.

4Irl-the automotive industry alignment devices previously used have proved either too cumbersome or fragile to be efciently employed by the Similar reference characters in the several gures indicate similar parts.

average repair man. Heretofore the gauges employed have been of such construction that the operator is required to work in bright light in order to read the gauges.

In the instant device theoperator may work in semi-darkness as is ofteiir the condition encountered underneath automobiles in repair shops and at the same time obtain excellent results. The mechanics need not be highly skilled to use the instant device as it requires little ability to operate. With this device the operator may instantaneously obtain a correct alignment which alignment takes into consideration both the front and rearward portions of the tire, whereas some types of alignment devices require two readings to accomplish this.

The alignment device, as generally shown at is a lug 25, similar to the lug I3 of the tube I0, the lug 25 being retained in place by bolts 23 and 2S. The object of lug 25 is to support one end of the device while in use by resting on the wheel rim 2.' enclosing the tire 28, as shown in Fig. 5, the opposite end of the device being similarly supported by lug i3. The tire abutting portions of plates I2 and 2| 'are knurled as shown at 29 in Fig. l. On top of the tube I is a leaf-spring lever 3B and an integral spring actuated pin 3I. When obtaining correct alignment of the wheels the spring pin 3| rides on the plate 2l until the correct alignment is achieved at which point it is forced with an audible snap through the hole 32 on the plate 2 I.

When initially constructed the pivotal plate 2| is fashioned with the edge 33 displaced 11g from parallel with the edge 34 of fixed plate I2. In this position the hole 32 of the pivotal plate 2l is bored directly in line with the axis of springbiased pin 3|. This construction positively assures the operator that whenever the pin 3I is seated in the 'hole 32 correct alignment of the front wheels has occurred.

The operation of the alignment device is as follows: The tube I4 is telescoped inside the tube I against the action of the spring I8 and placed in position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with the lugs I3 and 25 respectively resting on the rims and the knurled plates I2 and 29 rest-r same time the opposite plate I2 is prevented from pivoting away from its flush abutment with its tire. Next the operator directs his full attention to the tie rod adjustment and when he hears the audible click of the spring-biased pin 3l seating in its hole he is positive correct alignment has been accomplished.

It is noted that in certain types of cars, mainly the 1949 Ford, the factory requirement is for 11g toe out. In such a case this invention may also be employed in that it merely necessitates using the device upside down, that is, with the lugs resting on the rims, but with the plates above the lugs rather than beneath as shown in the drawing.

While I have shown and described apreferred form of my invention, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made without departure from the' invention as defined in the appended ciaims.

I. claim:

l., A. wheel alignment device for automobiles comprising a pair of spring-biased telescoping members, a xed plate mounted at the end of one of said telescoping members, a pivotal plate mounted on they other of said telescoping members, said pivotal plate having an aperture in a predetermined position, a leaf spring, and apin mounted on the telescoping member in relation to the pivotal plate, said pin member being adapted to seat under the influence of said leaf spring in said predetermined aperture in the pivotal plate upon achievement of correct alignment.

2. In. a wheel alignment device for automobiles, a pair of spring-biased telescoping members, the larger ofv said telescoping members including a slot, the smaller of said telescoping members being provided with a pin riding in said slot of. said larger telescoping member, a xed plate, an oppositely disposedY pivotal plate, said pivotal plate having an aperture in a predetermined position, a pair of outwardly projecting members mounted on each telescoping member above said fixed plate and pivotal plate respectively, and an audible signal comprising a spring-biased pin mounted in one of said telescopic members and adapted to seat in the cooperating aperture of said pivotal plate when correct alignment is brought about.

3. In a wheel alignment device for automobiles, a pair of spring-biased telescoping members, the larger of said telescoping members including a slot, the smaller of said telescoping members provided with a pin, a xed plate and an oppositely disposed pivotal plate engaging the inner surfaces of the tires of the automobile, said pivotal plate having an aperture in a predetermined position, said plates being knurled at their tire engaging edge, a pair of projecting members mounted on each telescoping member above said fixed plate and pivotal plate respectively, and an audible signal comprising a spring-biased pin mounted in one of said telescopic members and adapted to seat in the cooperating aperture of said pivotal plate when proper alignment is obtained'.

ALVIN ELMO JAMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are 0f record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES IPAI'ENTS Number Name Date 549,444 Dailey Nov. 5, 1895 1,324,388 Duby Dec. 9, 1919 1,516,549 Sandbo Nov. 25, 1924 2,000,866 Smith May 7, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 14,576 Great Britain. A. D. 1913 

